Rick

Brendan Zurbrugg is competing in spring as well. I think I got the name right. He’s the Oklahoma transfer who will be a freshman.

That’s the big one Larry – 1:1. How does he progress reading defenses and what does a high level offensive line do for him. He’ll also need to cut down on errant throws. In the scrimmage I watched he had two errant throws out of maybe 20. He also threw a possible pick at the goal line but he threw it so hard it nearly put a whole in Elijah Davis’…[Read more]

Proceeds from the game go to the 22 Forever Scholarship fund. That’s may be a big reason why we are still holding the game.

No starters will play – two reasons – no need for silly injuries and no need for poachers to see what we have. This will be a nice opportunity to see the two, threes and fours.

Should be fun.

That is a crazy number if accurate. Good for Wahlin. He would be a terrific part of Alex’s team with his defensive skill and willingness to work which is showing up with improved play. He is becoming a good shooter. I hope he’ll continue to improve at Clemson because I know he would have here.

That’s fair Krindorr but my conversations at season’s end led me to believe Bentley had a little more value. I can think of three touchdowns Bentley would have had if Wilson throws a good ball. I don’t mean to dismiss Ryan’s talent at all. They did not want to lose him.

Yergensen’s comment below is simply ridiculous based on what coaches have…[Read more]

Homer,
I’m one of the guys on this board old enough to remember Stevens well. There is absolutely no comparison between the two except Dampier runs as well as him. Now that I’ve seen Dampier in person a few times, including the scrimmage last Saturday, I can tell you he passes well. Stevens simply couldn’t throw the ball – running back playing…[Read more]

Good point Eagle. I did note that Coach Whitt complimented his blitz protection Tuesday.

Hunter is a beast Eagle. He doesn’t lack physicality. I know the defense isn’t happy he isn’t in the linebacker room or even the defensive end room. Believe it or not, the coaches actually involve players like Hunter in the process. He wants to be on the offensive side and Beck is enjoying scheming for a player with speed and physicality. It…[Read more]

Damuni and Barton.

There are three or four underclassmen behind them but someone this good out of high school would be welcome.

You’re probably right Uteopia. I wondered this season whether or not they’d play well together in a high post/low post set. We don’t see a lot of that in basketball anymore; but Dawes can be a skilled passer up high. I wished at times that Smith would have gone away from Lovering in favor of Dawes and give the two of them some minutes.

I hope…[Read more]

I like all of the underclassmen who played this year. I hope all of them return. If they do, we have a nice foundation. Coach Smith did a good job of bringing some good players in before the season. I think they’ve benefitted from the strength and training staff and whomever Smith had doing player development. I’ve seen better skill development in…[Read more]

Jim,
He didn’t even return Miller’s calls offering his services. Smith had an assistant finally return the call after Andre had called a few times over several weeks.

Jim’s departure had everything to do with Mark Harlan. They don’t see eye to eye on how fundraising should be done and how the department should be led. When Jim left the athletics fundraising team it was just a matter of time before he’d lose the color job. He was under contract for that. I don’t listen enough to have much of an opinion on the…[Read more]

A few key trustees are playing a role in the hire as is President Randall. Harlan is leading the search but the trustees and president’s office are significantly involved this go around. A few of the trustees, of course, have direct ties to significant donors. The U has to get this right in order to bring the right people back to the table for…[Read more]

I’m with Tony here. Horrible luck happens. The team is positioned to be among the top teams in the Big 12 this season. I actually think the D’line could be better this season. We need to establish depth at tackle but there are three solid tackles in place. Logan Fano is a terrific anchor at one defensive end spot and there is a lot of talent vying…[Read more]

To be fair to Coach Smith I think the biggest problem related to this is talent level. The U simply doesn’t have one player who could be considered an NBA-level player in a few years. We may have a few European-level. We also don’t have a dog – a player who just gets after it 100% of the time. So what do you do as a coach? Smith is choosing to…[Read more]

Terrific list to review. One omission – Raycine Guillory at running back. He’s a four-star incoming freshman whose offer sheet looks like a who’s who of college football. I know we’ve been disappointed in freshmen running backs for a few years so we’ll see; but he looks more the part physically. I think there is one more freshman as well but I…[Read more]

Thanks Utopia. I had particular ties to the interest of the three I mentioned so I had conveniently forgotten that Johnnie was interested. I would imagine his interest was handled similarly – he wasn’t truly vetted or interviewed; but I cannot speak to that like I can the others.

I can provide a little more context. The Smith hire was basically a done deal when Harlan fired Coach K. All had been done behind the scenes. When the firing was announced, three coaches reached out expressing interest through agents or other connections to Utah athletics – Alex Jensen, Porter Moser and Randy Bennett. Harlan had no interest in any…[Read more]